James Johnson started playing bass guitar, at age 13, for local bands and churches while growing up in Brooklyn, New York. He was influenced by Stanley Clarke, Bass,  Spyro Gyro and The Crusaders. He is an avid songwriter and has been playing keyboard and producing music since 1987.

James has collaborated with Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Greg Williams, S.W.I.T.C.H., Willie Bruno, Vertical Hold, Michael Campbell, High Voltage, Ankh Ra of Diddy’s Making the Band, to name a few. Although he has produced various genres of music his favorite to play and produce is Smooth Jazz and R & B.

His faith in Christ keeps him strong and purpose-focused. James is married and has been blessed with beautiful daughters. His daughter, Essi, also writes music and performs.

James is excited about sharing his music with the world!

James Johnson started playing bass guitar, at age 13, for local bands and churches while growing up in Brooklyn, New York. He was influenced by Stanley Clarke, Bass,  Spyro Gyro and The Crusaders. He is an avid songwriter and has been playing keyboard and producing music since 1987.

James has collaborated with Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Greg Williams, S.W.I.T.C.H., Willie Bruno, Vertical Hold, Michael Campbell, High Voltage, Ankh Ra of Diddy’s Making the Band, to name a few. Although he has produced various genres of music his favorite to play and produce is Smooth Jazz and R & B.

His faith in Christ keeps him strong and purpose-focused. James is married and has been blessed with beautiful daughters. His daughter, Essi, also writes music and performs.

James is excited about sharing his music with the world!

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Where did I get the name "Acey?"

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My father, James Edward Johnson Sr. was one of 11 children growing up in the rural town of Wallace North Carolina. They were a very close family that prayed together, played together, and looked after each other. My father made sure he thrived a work and watched out for his family. That gave him the nickname "Acey." He married my mother Catherine Johnson and relocated to New Haven Ct. and then Brooklyn New York. He wanted to earn a better living so he could provide more for us. I remember everyone smiling when they saw him; they treated him like royalty. I also remember him helping people, especially, the elderly. He always volunteered to help, he even played the guitar at church. In 1969, I was seven years old when he passed away from kidney failure. I believe that God arrange children to look like their parent and process the same talents so they can carry the legacy of their parents to the next generation. I decided in 2022 that I would honor and carry his legacy by using the name "Acey." So please....call me Acey.  

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                                                                                                         James  Edward Johnson Sr.

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